The government has finally started surveying 36 plots in Msongola area on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam for Gongo la Mboto bomb blast victims.

A survey conducted by The Guardian yesterday found that a team led by Col Mkohi Kichogo from SUMA JKT was working at the site where the government had relocated the victims, whose houses had been damaged by the bomb blasts.

Dar es Salaam regional commissioner (RC) Said Meck Sadiki

Dar es Salaam regional commissioner (RC) Said Meck Sadiki told this paper that they had signed a contract with SUMA JKT to construct all houses.

“After doing the second thorough verification on the damaged houses a report showed that only 36 families lost their houses and that is why we have to construct the houses in accordance with the number of the affected families,” he noted.

Giving reasons for changing the place from Kinyerezi to Msongola, Ilala municipal director Gabriel Fuime said before they wanted to relocate the bomb blast victims to Kinyerezi but due to a land dispute going on there they found another area, Msongola, where there was no land dispute.

Meanwhile, some bomb blast victims have commended the government for giving them 600,000/- as a six-month rent to each family, whose house had been damaged, while the government was proceeding with the construction work.

“At least now we are happy with our government and we believe we’ll get what we deserve since we have been taken to see our plots,” said Farida Moses, one of the bomb blast victims.

Another victim Rukia Mndeme said after the first verification her house was included on the list of the affected families but now she had been removed.

“I don’t know what has happened because we are among those given 600,000/- for renting a house, while waiting for another step but suddenly we are out of the list,” she said.

Last year, President Jakaya Kikwete, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and Joseph Selasini were among the leaders who sent their condolences to the victims and their relatives.

At least 20 people lost their lives and over 300 others were injured after a series of bomb blasts that struck the main military ammunition dump in Gongo la Mboto area, about 20 kilometres from Dar es Salaam.

While briefing the parliament in Dodoma before it was adjourned on the blasts tragedy Pinda said, “I send my condolences to all those who have lost their beloved ones and to those who have been affected directly or indirectly by the blasts,” he said.

Defence and National Service shadow minister Joseph Selasini told reporters in Dodoma yesterday that the camp was deeply sorry for those who had lost their loved ones as a result of the blasts.

“It is also important that security organs take care of the victims’ property after running away from their homes,” he said. The camp also called on the responsible authorities to take care of the victims, including covering burial costs, social services and treating the injured.

By DEVOTA MWACHANG`A, The Guardian

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